When it comes to local search visibility and online presence, Google Maps is a crucial component that can make or break your business. Whether you are looking for a restaurant, florist or lawn care provider, securing one of the top three positions in Google’s “Local Pack” can significantly boost your website traffic, footfalls, and sign-ups. However, ranking on Google Maps is not easy and requires a holistic approach to local SEO.
In this article, we will discuss 10 tactics/strategies that can help you improve your Google Maps website ranking and reap the associated benefits.
Consistent NAP Information
The consistency of your NAP (name, address, phone number) on various directories is an essential factor in determining your Maps website ranking. It is important to update your NAP information regularly and keep it consistent across all platforms and directories to ensure that search engines can validate the location of your business.
Local Search
The local search algorithm of Google is based on relevance, prominence, and proximity. Prominence is the most difficult of all to pin down, but it is supposedly determined by the number of business reviews and ratings on GMB, as well as your site’s organic rankings and backlinks. Proximity is based on the distance of your business from the searcher’s location and the number of related searches in your area.
Google Posts
Regularly posting in your Google My Business dashboard will display on your business listing, which can send signals to Google that you are proactively managing your business, which can have a positive impact on your Maps website ranking. Posts also allow you to share relevant offers with consumers that are actively searching for the type of products or services you provide.
Review Scores
The amount of positive online reviews is a critical factor for Google Maps website ranking. Positive reviews not only add to the credibility of your business, but they also encourage consumers to take action, such as making a purchase or calling you for a quote.
Optimizing Your Website
There are many optimizations that can be performed on your website to support your Google Maps ranking, such as ensuring it is mobile-friendly and has an SSL certificate installed. These types of actions can directly influence your business’s Maps website ranking, and also offer a number of other SEO benefits for your organic search rankings.